Bulbophyllum jersey: lateral sepals won't separate
 

So I got this jersey from one of the vendors hosted by the Maryland Orchid Society a few months ago, and it's growing very well. Two new leaves have sprouted and two flowers (on the same stem) since getting it. This is the first flower to mature & open, but as you can see, the lateral sepals are not separating as it should. Not too happy about that. Have a feeling the second flower will be the same *sigh*. Still a gorgeous plant to look at and admire despite its flaws...

Looks pretty. I like the colour.

Is it a first bloom? Sometimes on really young plants it takes a couple of blooming cycles for them to come into their own and really 'strut their stuff.' Just a thought.

Try misting the bloom with water if they are sticking. Sometimes it is lack of moisture and the mist will help unstick them.

Brooke

In most cases this is caused by a lack of humidity as the bud is forming but as stated it could also be a young plant. just because the first bloom is this way it doesn't mean the rest will.
joe

I'd say the best explanation is that the plant is misidentified. The co-joined lateral sepals along with the curling of the outer edges upward and inward to form a tube are indicative of the species previously known as Cirrhopetalums. It's unlikely that lobbii and echinolabium (Jersey) would produce this characteristic.

I would have to disagree I have several Jerseys and the picture is true to this hybrid with the exception of course of this problem

Thanks for you input everyone . Yes, this is the 1st bloom (at least for me) and pretty young plant indeed. I did as Brooke & Jbigio suggested and misted the flowers, which helped separate them somewhat. I then gave it a little nudge by pulling the sepals apart. Apparently, they were stuck to the labellum...